Bill puts limit on House Speaker and Senate Leader terms

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The House speaker and Senate leader in the
North Carolina General Assembly would be limited to serving at most
eight consecutive years in their top posts in legislation approved
by the state Senate.

The Senate agreed Monday with 35 yes votes – more than the 30
required for a proposed constitutional amendment. If the House
agrees, the question would be on the statewide ballot in November
2012.

The House agreed earlier this year to limit leadership to four
years, but Republican lawmakers have reached a compromise that’s
equal to the governor’s limit of two four-year terms in office.

Senate leader Phil Berger said the change would keep any single
person from holding power for decades. Democratic Sen. Martin
Nesbitt of Asheville said the bill fixes a problem that doesn’t
exist.